Over 1000 bus and coach drivers ready to walk out if European Commission revisits driving and rest time rules Could Europe’s driver shortage get a whole lot worse? A 2023 European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) survey reached out to over 1300 bus and coach drivers across Europe and found that 80% of drivers would consider leaving the industry if the European Commission moved forward with its proposal to revise driving and rest time rules in coach tourism services. The European Commission’s current policy options under consideration for the revision of occasional passenger transport (coach tourism services), such as 12 consecutive days of driving with no day off and 45-minute breaks split into 15 minutes or less, have been met with dismay from the driver community. Responding to the possibility of 12 consecutive days of driving, 80% of drivers indicated it would be difficult or almost impossible to guarantee the safety of their passengers. Additionally, 83% of drivers replied that this would add to fatigue and work-related stress, while 74% confirmed it would impact their health. (....)